The carpet I rode on dipped around shops, winded through neighborhoods, and traveled over several rivers as we headed southeast.
We passed the wharf where I’d boarded the ship to Faewood Kingdom. The last time I rode an enchanted carpet by the wharf, Jax and I had been heading to Leafton to search for Bastian. We hadn’t been mated then. Only sizzling attraction had crackled between us.
I closed my eyes, and the evening breeze flowed over my cheeks. But despite trying to ground myself, it felt as though I was detaching from my body. None of this felt real. Just hours ago, Jax and I had made love in his private suite. We’d been dreaming of the future. Planning for our life together.
The regal navy gown still flowed around me. Jax had bought me this gown, and in a way, it symbolized what we hoped would come. So much had been on the precipice of what our future would bring.
But now, as much as I tried to maintain optimism, it felt as though our dream was slipping away.
No.
I took a deep breath and opened my eyes. All hope wasn’t lost. My collar was gone, and I held immense magic at my fingertips. Bastian was back. We’d found him and saved him too, even if he was currently locked within the palace. And there was still so much that had to be done about King Paevin. We would find a way to continue as we’d been.
Tears threatened to fill my eyes, but I halted my thoughts from steering any further down a path of fear.
The enchanted carpet flew onward. The wharf fell far behind us, and the cobbled street widened when we careened around another corner, heading back inland.
After many more twists and turns, the street opened up completely, and at the end, a huge fountain waited in a large circular cobblestone section. And finally, just behind it stood the supernatural courts.
The huge stone building made of old, scarred rock rose two stories from its base. Large and wide stone steps led up to it. Several carpets holding other fae who’d been apprehended in the city flew around the building, flying to other areas I couldn’t see. Kingsfae accompanied all of them.
Sweat lined my palms, but I fisted my hands and reminded myself to stay calm.
The carpet glided to a stop at the base of the steps. I searched for Jax and his friends, even for Guardian Alleron, but none of them were here yet. Either that, or they’d been taken to other entrances in this enormous building.
The kingsfae detaining me hopped off the carpet and extended his hand to help me down. “Follow me.”
I took his outstretched palm, taking some comfort in the fact that he hadn’t restrained me and was still being civil. Ever since Jax’s warning, he hadn’t been rough, and I hoped my mate’s powerful sway would continue to hold.
Around us, fae walked by on the street, carrying on with their day as they traversed this part of Jaggedston. More than a few glanced toward me as I followed my jailer up the smooth steps. I did my best to ignore them, although as I reached the top, I began to question if it was me they were watching or the banners.
Columns graced the front of the courts, and banners hung along each one with magical renditions of criminals who were wanted by the law.
The Dark Raider’s black-clad face hung front and center. His image moved left and right, the banner’s three-dimensional magical images constantly changing, giving different views of his masked face. Of course, it was all a guess as to what he looked like. None of the authorities actually knew the Dark Raider’s true appearance.
The banner billowed in the breeze, and it hit me anew that Jax was their most wanted criminal.
My insides chilled.
“This way.” The kingsfae’s armor clanked as he tugged me to the right. A single door stood off to the side at the top of the stairs, away from the large main entrance double doors.
Heart pounding, I followed him silently, and with each step I took, strange magic grew around me, prickling along my skin and cascading through my hair. It grew so thick that I wondered how anyone could breathe around here.
The kingsfae smirked when he caught my grimace. “’Tis the wards. They’re thickest here. But they’ll thin out once we’re inside. Don’t worry. They’re always the most uncomfortable the first time they assess you.”
“What do the wards do?”
“They serve as a barrier should anyone decide to take action against the courts with weapons or spells. They also help to identify fae when brought to the courts, and they also serve as lockdown for anyone who tries to escape from their sentencing, so I’d think twice before running.”
“I would never.” I kept my voice small, falling back into the role my guardian had groomed me to play. I’d dealt with males having authority over me my entire life, and I’d learned that they usually treated me better if I acted meek and contrite, even if I wasn’t.
The kingsfae grunted, seeming to appreciate my response.
My flowing navy gown swirled around me more as I followed him. He opened the door, indicating for me to go first, and when I stepped over the threshold, magic seized me in place.
A moment of panic hit me. Ice pressed against my skin. All air was sucked from my lungs. I couldn’t breathe. Another bolt of fear swam in my veins, but the wards’ hold was over before it’d begun, and then I was on the other side with the kingsfae right behind me.
He gave me a mocking smile. “Told you it takes longest the first time. I’m guessing you’ve never been here before?”
